How to relate wind chill, temperature, and cycling

Asked by: Katy Holcomb

What is the wind chill on a bike?

The Wind Chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the effects of wind and cold.

What is the formula for calculating wind chill?

WIND CHILL FORMULA(S): If you have units of wind in mph and temp in degrees F… try this: T(wc) = 0.0817(3.71V**0.5 + 5.81 -0.25V)(T – 91.4) + 91.4 T(wc) is the wind chill, V is in the wind speed in statute miles per hour and T is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the perfect temperature for cycling?

between about 50 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit

Either way, the pros ride slower when it’s cold. When you aggregate the results, you find that performance is maximized over a broad range between about 50 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

How does temperature affect cycling speed?

Most people know that temperature decreases as altitude/elevation increases, the rate is typically 0.65°C for every 100 meters gained. One effect this has on cycling speeds is that tires have more Rolling Resistance when the temperature is lower, increasing by about 1.4% for every 1°C lost.

What is the wind chill factor when riding a motorcycle?

If you reference the chart, you’ll see that if the outside temperature is 40 degrees – eight degrees above freezing – and you’re riding your motorcycle at 60 miles per hour, the wind chill is a bitterly cold 25 degrees.

How cold is 50 degrees on a motorcycle?

While your clothing may keep you warm enough while standing in that 50 degrees, if you start riding the open road and approach 70 mph, it will feel like 30 degrees to you. Safely riding a motorcycle includes managing and preparing for your riding temperature, the one you’ll really experience on the open road.

What is the wind chill at 60 mph?

Wind Chill Chart

Is wind chill the actual temperature?

Your wind-chill temperature is the intersection of your actual temperature and the wind speed. For example, if your actual temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind speed is 25 mph, then the wind-chill temperature is -14 degrees Fahrenheit (see chart below). In such a case, stay inside and keep warm!

What is the wind chill on a day with a 30 mph wind What does that number mean?

For example, a temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 30 mph equal a wind chill of -19, which will produce frostbite in 30 minutes.

What should you not wear when cycling?

Cycling in clothing like jeans, or tight fitting dresses or trousers can restrict how you use your muscles. Some clothes have thick and bulky seams which can rub and make you sore. Also don’t wear something with too tight a waistband either. You need to be able to breathe!

Does weather affect cycling?

Specifically, snow affects everybody, while rain mostly impacts Evening and Weekend cyclists. Peak cyclists have the least temperature effect, while Weekend cyclists are the most affected.

What should I wear cycling 15 degrees?

15 degrees or over is the ideal riding temperature and doesn’t take a lot of preparation or layering. A thin base layer, knicks, jersey, socks and short finger gloves are all you need. When choosing a base layer for this temperature, be aware that base layers come in many different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.

How cold is too cold motorcycle?

32 degrees Fahrenheit

In general, you probably should not ride a motorcycle when the temperature is below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) outside. This is because ice can form on the road, increasing the risk of losing control of your bike, sliding, and getting into a motorcycle accident.

Is 50 warm enough to ride a motorcycle?

When riding in temperatures below about 50 °F I would recommend wearing some thermal underwear under your jeans to keep your legs warm. Riding with cold legs is miserable and the cold air will make your legs cramp up and become stiff. See my guide here on how to keep your legs warm on a motorcycle.

How hot is too hot for a motorcycle engine?

Safe Operating Range



For most motorcycles, an operational temperature range of 155F / 68C to 220F / 104C is normal. Living in hotter or colder climates will adjust the range somewhat, as will the condition of your bike and its cooling system. A good rule of thumb for temperatures: Warming Up: Up to 130F / 55C.

Is 40 degrees too cold to ride a motorcycle?

In general, you probably should not ride a motorcycle when the temperature is below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) outside. This is because ice can form on the road, increasing the risk of losing control of your bike, sliding, and getting into a motorcycle accident.

What is the temp when riding a motorcycle?

It is not recommended to ride a motorcycle when the temperature is below freezing (32°F or 0°C). Ice will form at these temperatures and motorcycles are more susceptible to ice since they are smaller vehicles.

Does wind speed affect temperature?

As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder. If the temperature is 0°F and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is -19°F.

How do you calculate wind chill in Celsius?

A good approximation of the wind-chill temperature can be found by multiplying the wind speed by 0.7 and then subtracting that value from the air temperature.

What is the wind chill at 30 mph?

-19

For example, a temperature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 30 mph equal a wind chill of -19, which will produce frostbite in 30 minutes.

What is the wind chill at 60 mph?

Wind Chill Chart